Manchester City and Newcastle United are just two of the clubs involved in the race for Champions League qualification.
For Newcastle United, the equation is easy. Eddie Howe’s side need to beat Everton on the final day of the Premier League season to ensure they are in the hat for next season’s Champions League draw
Man City are currently sixth in the Premier League table but could move ahead of Newcastle if they beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Pep Guardiola saw his side lose the FA Cup final on Saturday, making what has already been the worst season in his managerial career all the more miserable.
Still, when asked how crucial qualifying for the Champions League was to clubs, Guardiola gave an interesting answer and namechecked Newcastle.
Pep Guardiola makes Newcastle United claim in Champions League battle statement
The 54-year-old was speaking at a press conference on Monday before his side’s home game against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.
During the conference, he was asked how important it was for all of the teams involved to make the top five. Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are also gunning for those spots.
While Guardiola admitted it was important, he suggested that the teams who haven’t won trophies were under more pressure, given that’s all they can achieve this season.
Newcastle, of course, have won the Carabao Cup this season. City, meanwhile, lifted the Community Shield – albeit many will suggest that isn’t a major honour.
“Of course it’s important to qualify,” he said.
“But for other teams like except Newcastle that won the Carabao Cup, Liverpool that won the Premier League and Manchester City that won the Community Shield, the other teams didn’t win the trophies.”
https://youtu.be/VQ5bMB0mfXM?si=WUstOyuRaZXYPfJb
Newcastle United could sign one of Pep Guardiola’s players this summer
Recently, Newcastle have been linked with a move for Jack Grealish.
On paper, the City winger doesn’t really look like the kind of signing Newcastle have made in the PIF era. At 29 and reportedly on a huge pay packet at the Etihad Stadium, moving for him would not feel in keeping with the recruitment work done by Howe.
Still, Alan Shearer has urged Grealish to leave Man City this summer after falling out of the first-team picture under Guardiola.
If he did eventually come to Newcastle, it’d be fascinating to see if Howe could get Grealish back on track.
The move feels unlikely at this stage of course but it’s still an exciting thought…
